| Numerical Methods: Ideal and Hall MHD |
| J.D. Huba |
| Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboroatory, Washington, DC |
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Hall magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) theory is an extension of ideal MHD theory and has been used to describe and understand a variety of interesting space and laboratory plasma phenomena over the last two decades. In recent years it has become evident that Hall physics plays a critical role in magnetic reconnection processes and this has spurred renewed interest in this subject. Generally speaking, the theory is applicable to phenomena occurring on length scales shorter than an ion inertial length, and time scales shorter than an ion cyclotron period. In this paper we will provide an overview of the underlying physics associated with Hall physics, discuss numerical techniques to incorporate the Hall term into an ideal MHD code, and describe applications of Hall MHD to magnetic reconnection. |
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